Interstate 759 extension hits roadblock

Published: Thursday, July 12, 2012 at 5:45 p.m.

Last Modified: Thursday, July 12, 2012 at 5:45 p.m.

The extension of Interstate 759 in East Gadsden has hit a roadblock that will slow its progress, the Gadsden Etowah Metropolitan Planning Organization learned Thursday.

The Alabama Department of Transportation developed four different alternatives that were presented at a public hearing in 2004 for the exte nsion that would connect Interstate 759 to U.S. Highway 278.

However, the Federal Highway Administration in Atlanta wants additional study and consideration of other possible alternates to lessen the impact on historic structures before a final route is approved, according to ALDOT Division One Engineer Johnny Harris.

Both Gadsden Councilman Billy Harris and City Engineer Chad Hare said they were discouraged with the lack of progress on the Interstate 759 project, and that ALDOT already has considered other alternates.

They said there also has been community input, and that the consensus of the community and city is for a route that dips further south than the other three alternatives, following Taylor Street rather than Richardson Street.

“I’m disillusioned. I’m discouraged that we can have a project in a planning stage (for) so long and not be any further than we are now,” Billy Harris said. “I’m terribly discouraged — everybody is.”

Billy Harris said the FHWA must be convinced to move ahead with the “critically needed” project, and that it doesn’t make sense for ALDOT to keep being told to consider other options when these alternatives have been in place for so long.

Johnny Harris said the FHWA wants “additional alternates that would avoid that area completely” to be considered. He said most of the structures that would be affected by the proposals would be considered “historic” since they are 50 years or older.

He said ALDOT is trying to show the federal agency that “every reasonable” option has been considered, adding, “It doesn’t matter where you go, there are going to be impacts.”

Hare said he understood 20 to 30 different alternates have been considered.

“I just don’t know how many more it has to be before we finally get to that point,” he told Johnny Harris, “I know you guys don’t know either.”

Johnny Harris said the new highway bill might have some changes that relax environmental standards on projects, but he doesn’t know if it will be retroactive.

<p>The extension of Interstate 759 in East Gadsden has hit a roadblock that will slow its progress, the Gadsden Etowah Metropolitan Planning Organization learned Thursday.</p><p>The Alabama Department of Transportation developed four different alternatives that were presented at a public hearing in 2004 for the exte nsion that would connect Interstate 759 to U.S. Highway 278.</p><p>However, the Federal Highway Administration in Atlanta wants additional study and consideration of other possible alternates to lessen the impact on historic structures before a final route is approved, according to ALDOT Division One Engineer Johnny Harris.</p><p>Both Gadsden Councilman Billy Harris and City Engineer Chad Hare said they were discouraged with the lack of progress on the Interstate 759 project, and that ALDOT already has considered other alternates.</p><p>They said there also has been community input, and that the consensus of the community and city is for a route that dips further south than the other three alternatives, following Taylor Street rather than Richardson Street. </p><p>“I'm disillusioned. I'm discouraged that we can have a project in a planning stage (for) so long and not be any further than we are now,” Billy Harris said. “I'm terribly discouraged — everybody is.”</p><p>Billy Harris said the FHWA must be convinced to move ahead with the “critically needed” project, and that it doesn't make sense for ALDOT to keep being told to consider other options when these alternatives have been in place for so long.</p><p>Johnny Harris said the FHWA wants “additional alternates that would avoid that area completely” to be considered. He said most of the structures that would be affected by the proposals would be considered “historic” since they are 50 years or older.</p><p>He said ALDOT is trying to show the federal agency that “every reasonable” option has been considered, adding, “It doesn't matter where you go, there are going to be impacts.”</p><p>Hare said he understood 20 to 30 different alternates have been considered.</p><p>“I just don't know how many more it has to be before we finally get to that point,” he told Johnny Harris, “I know you guys don't know either.”</p><p>Johnny Harris said the new highway bill might have some changes that relax environmental standards on projects, but he doesn't know if it will be retroactive.</p>